Desk pad



Dec.l 15, 1931. w. F'. SANDERS Filed Dec. 25, 1929 n l i y r /VK 'I lillJ ////////V l/ a4 Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES WILIBUR F.SANDERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS DESK PAD Application led December 23,1929. Serial No. 415,885.

My invention relates to a desk pad and more particularly to a desk padhaving supporting devices for writing paraphernalia.

The ordinary desk pad has a plain fiat surface, the only utility ofwhich is to provide a smooth writing surface underneath thin sheets ofpaper, which may be placed thereon during Writing.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved desk pad.

A further object is to provide a desk pad having supporting means forvarious writing paraphernalia such as pencils, clips, and the like.

A further object is to provide a desk pad having means for supporting apenholder for a fountain pen thereon.

Other object-s and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

In accordance with the general features of the invention, I provide adesk pad of flexible material which is increased in thickness at certainportions to render a less flexible support due to the thickness of thematerial in these portions.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a desk padembodying my invention, shown in position upon a desk,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l, and,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3"-3 of Fig. 1.

My desk pad may be made of any suitable material. However, I prefer touse a flexible material which offers sufficient frictional resistance tomaintain it in position on the desk and also prevent paper or stationeryfrom readily sliding over the surface during writing.

A suitable material having these characteristics is described in myPatent No. 1,7 O9,- 544 of April 16, 1929. This material is a filledvulcanized rubber compound properly processed and treated to bring outthe desired characteristics. The basis of the composition is rubber andclay, some of the rubber may be reclaimed, and so actingsomewhat as afiller, the principal binding depending' upon new rubber. I believe thatthe clay being refractory has a great deal to do with the non-burnVWriting qualityV of the pad.

ing characteristic ofthis material, and it also Y has an effect upon thedegree of hardness, which is controlled to provide the proper gitudinalchannel 12 for receiving and retaining pencils or other instruments usedin writing. Spaced slightlyfrom each end ofthe longitudinal channel is acircular depression y V13,',which serves as a retainer for paperclips,

pen points, or other materials which often are otherwise leftpromiscuously upon the desk.

'The pad isprovided with a raised or relief portion 14 which forms thebase for a pair of penhol-ders 15. The vpenholders are mounted upon acircular plate 16 having a pair of spaced upwardly extending supports17, provided with concave indentations for receiving a ball 18, at theend of a retainer 19. Ball 18 is retained in the concave depressions ofsupports (17 and forms therewith a universal joint permitting theretainer 19 to be held atany suitable angle. The retainer or cap 19 isadapted to receive a fountain pen 21, or the like. Extending downwardlyfrom plate 16 is a threaded stem 22, which passes through an aperture 23in the base to anchor the pen holders in the base. Aperture 23 ispreferably counter-sunk so that when nut 24 is threaded on Vstem 22, toanchor the pen holders, it does not project below the lowerV surface ofthe base. Base 14 is preferably spaced a small ,dist-ance from the edgeof the pad, leaving a flat portion 25 rearwardly of the base. This isdone for purposes of convenience of manufacture. The molds are soconstructed that 'the overflow'is formed on the flat portion of the edgeof the pad from which it may be readily removed, obviating the necessityof trimming the base, which might mar its appearance.

It will thus be seen that my pad provides supportingand retaining means'for all the instruments usually employed in writing. On account of theflexibility of the material I have increased the thickness of the padinthose portions where a lesser degree of ilexibility is required. If, forinstance, the penholders l5, Were secured to the lat portion of the pad,the Weight of the pens might overbalance the resistance to strain orbending of the material of the pad. The Weight of the portionsoilincreased thickness isv also advantageous in counteracting the Weight.of the pens to retain the base 14, in position. The added Weight in theraised portions l1 along the side of the pad serves to maintain the'padin position upon the desk.

It Will be understood that the embodiment of my invention described andillustrated, is merely illustrative of the invention and that ymanymodifications may be made vtherein without departing from the spirit andscope Aof the invention.

What I claim is ,new anddesire to protect byLetters Patent of theUnitedStates is 'As a new article of manufacture, aiflexible ldesk pad of arubber clay composition having asubstantially rectangular outline, saidpad being adapted to lie flat on a desk, a relief portion within theeonnes of said rectangle and adjacent one edge of the pad, said reliefyportion being of the same material as'thepad and integrally formedtherewith, a Writing appliance holder secured to said relief portion,the `vveight'of said relief portion being suicient to balance the Weightof a Writing appliance and the holder therefoigwhereby .the flexible padis prevented from curling up,.due to theunbalancing weight of .thevWriting appliance.

yIn Witness Whereoil hereunto subscribe my name .this 13th day ofDecember, 1929. VVLLBUR F. SANDERS.

